Frequently Asked Questions
about Witchcraft and Wicca
Revised March 20, 2002
Is there really such a thing as Witchcraft?
Yes, Witchcraft and Wicca are legally recognised as religions by the government of the United States. Although the practice of Witchcraft encompasses many different traditions, generally speaking, Witches and Wiccans practice a nature-based religion, and worship at least one Goddess and/or God. Some Witches and Wiccans practice magic(k), but others do not. Some people will use the words "Wicca" and "Witchcraft" interchangeably, while others say that the words mean different things. To save space in this FAQ, the words "Witch(es)" and "Witchcraft" will be used to mean "Witch(es) and Wiccan(s)" and "Witchcraft and Wicca", respectively.
Is it possible to tell if someone is a real Witch or not?
Not really, at least, not any more than it is possible to tell whether a person practices any other particular religious tradition. Real Witches rarely look like the stereotypes portrayed in the popular media, with long pointy chins, warts, or crooked noses, wearing tall pointy hats, long capes, or all-black clothing. Real Witches can be women and men, young or old, unique-looking or very common-looking. Real Witches are real people. Sometimes, a Witch will display symbols of his or her faith, for instance , pentagram jewelery, but just as often, they do not. Furthermore, not everyone who wears a pentagram or black clothing is a Witch.
Do Witches worship the Devil?
No. Satan, or "The Devil" is a Christian belief. Witchcraft has no concept of an evil deity. People who worship Satan are known as "Satanists". Witchcraft is not Satanism.
Do Witches sacrifice living things as part of their worship?
No. Witches do not have any need to sacrifice any living things for the purposes of their worship or magic(k).
Do Witches today cast curses or hexes, or evil spells?
There are two codes, known as "The Rede" and "The Rule of Three" which most Witches follow. The Rede states: "An it harm none, do as ye will." This means that Witches must not do anything to harm themselves or others. The Rule of Three says: "Whatsoever shall ye do, will three times come back to you." This is taken to mean something similar to the phrase "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." Any Witch who follows these guidelines would be reluctant to practice magic(k) to harm others, because he or she knows that it will come back on themself "three-fold"
What do Witches believe beside The Rede and The Rule of Three?
In addition to belief in the Goddesss and the God, most Witches celebrate seasonal rites. While different traditions vary in exactly what these days are called and when they are observed, most Witches observe these eight holidays in the year, known as "Sabbats" and they may also observe approximately thirteen monthly holidays in the year, called "Esbats", commonly held on or near the full moon. Many Witches
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Male Witches are usually called "Witches". "Witch" is a gender-neutral term. Male Witches do not usually call themselves "Warlocks" because that is an old Scottish word meaning: "traitor".
How old do you have to be to become a Witch?
There is no set age at which it is acceptable to become a Witch, but many covens will not admit or initiate persons under legal age without the explicit acceptance and approval of the child’s parents. There is an ancient code that states "You shall neither teach magic to a child nor a fool." the generally accepted interpretation of this is that persons without a proper moral conscience or an ability to estimate the consequences of their actions are not suitable students for the arts of magic(k). Most High Priestesses will try to gauge an individual’s maturity before accepting them as a student or postulant.
What are "The Burning Times"?
This phrase refers to the time of the Inquisitions when many people in different countries all over Europe were accused of Witchcraft or heresy , imprisoned, tortured and killed. Their land and possesions were often usurped by their accusers. It is generally accepted that many who were killed were totally innocent of the things with which they were charged. While many Pagan people were undoubtedly killed in those terrible times, a great many innocent Christians were probably killed as well, and the entire project most likely came from political and financial motivations rather than spiritual ideals. Today Witches say "Never Again the Burning!" a phrase coined by author Isaac Bonewitz and used by many people in modern Anti-Defamation efforts for Witches. I personally take this to mean "We will not allow people to be destroyed over the practice of Witchcraft, or for being vulnerable in the face of forces or people who have power over them. We will not allow ignorance or parties with biased agendas to reign over the public’s knowledge of modern Witchcraft."
Were any of the people executed in the Salem Witch Trials really Witches?
It is highly unlikely that any of the men and women executed in Salem Massachusetts were actually "Witches" in the sense that it was meant in that day and age. This incident in Colonial history is an example of hysteria and mob psychology.
What is an Athame and what is it used for?
The Athame, or ritual knife, is traditionally used to "draw" or define the magic(k)al circle that Witches use as holy ground during their rituals. It is not ever used to wound or kill anything. It is not a "sacrificial" knife. Some traditions hold this tool to be a symbolic representation of the male phallus. When performing public or outdoor rituals, many Witches forego the use of the Athame, because of the laws we have today about carrying weapons in public. There is a lot of fear in the Pagan community that onlookers or law enforcement might not realize that these knives are consecrated for non-violent ritual use only and would never, ever be used to harm anyone. Luckily, the Wand (another of the magickal tools of Witchcraft), a crystal or the fingers can be used to define the limits of the magic(k)al circle if the Athame is not available or appropriate.
Do Witches believe in the Bible?
The Bible is the sacred scipture of Judeo-Christian tradition. Witches do not hold any extant written documents as "scripture". Witchcraft is not a doctrinal religion. Some Witches accept the bible as scripture, and others do not.
Is it true that ALL Witches honor the Rede and the Rule of Three? And if not all Witches do, are the Witches that don’t "bad" Witches?
Family tradition Witches ( Witches whose families practice Witchcraft and who are born into the Craft) often say that their tradition does not include the Rede and the Rule of Three, or as it is sometimes called: "The Three-fold Law of Karmic Return". These laws are part of modern Neo-Pagan tradition, and most Witches, who learned about Witchcraft from modern books and personalities, have come to know and accept these codes. However, Family Trad Witches are often bound by a much stricter code of laws and ethics than other kinds of Witches, and so even if they do not specifically honor the Rede, they are still under honor not to harm others unduly under threat of the loss of their powers or other punishments.
Do Witches have Churches?
Yes and No. Many Covens and traditions are formally incorporated with the IRS as "Churches" to indicate their status as religious institutions. As far as physical buildings, only a few groups around the country have permanent structures formally dedicated to religious puposes full-time. Most Witches conduct religious services outside in local parks and inside their homes by creating a "magic(k) circle", a temporary sacred space, which is used and then released back into regular space. The magic(k) circle, while it is active, is every bit as holy and sacred as the grounds of a church. In a very real sense, it is sanctuary and homecoming, a place to pray, heal, worship and do magic(k).
Is it possible to be a Christian and a Witch at the same time?
While nothing in Witchcraft prohibits a person from believing in or practicing Christianity; there are Hebrew scriptures which have been misinterpreted and used by Christians and Jews to justify a doctrinal ban against Witches and the practice of Witchcraft. Your conscience will be your guide. There are websites and books which promote both Christian Ceremonial Magic and Christian Witchcraft.
How do people become Witches?
Witches do not proselytize, so no one will ever come up to you and say "Hey, do you want to become a Witch?" Some people are born into Witchcraft as people are born into any other religion. Many people come to the Craft by reading books about it and deciding that these beliefs and ways are in harmony with their own beliefs. Some people believe in self-dedication or self-initiation, which means that any one can make themself into a Witch. Other people believe that "Only a Witch can Make a Witch" and so in order to become a "real" Witch you need to find other Witches and be initiated by them. If this is something that appeals to you, remember these words from Doreen Valiente’s "Charge of the Goddess": "If that which you seek you find not within yourself, you will never find it without." Many people who come to the Craft feel as if they are "coming home", implying that the magic(k) was inside them all along.
Recommended Reading
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner A basic classic by Scott Cunningham.
Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Another good book by Scott Cunningham.
To Ride a Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft Silver Raven Wolf's friendly, informative guide to the modern Craft.
True Magick: A Beginner's Guide Amber K. About modern Magick in general.
Earth Magic: A Dianic Book of Shadows, a Guide for Witches A book by Marion Weinstein, known as the "Ethics Witch" to many devoted readers.
Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland.
"When, Why ...If by Robin Wood - a book of Magickal and Wiccan Ethics.Shows how the Magickal religions follow a positive and life affirming way.
This FAQ by Han Morrow Scott
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